Photo Gallery: Alabama Basketball Holds Final Practice Before Opening NCAA Tournament
The Alabama men’s basketball team made its final preparations Thursday, conducting a closed 90-minute workout at a local high school before making the short trek to Viejas Arena. While there, the Crimson Tide met with television and both local and national media and radio while also conducting a 40-minute workout that was open to the public.
The sixth-seeded Crimson Tide will take on No. 11 seed Notre Dame Friday at 3:15 p.m. CT/1:15 p.m. PT on TNT. It will be the second of two games in the afternoon session and will follow No. 3 Texas Tech and No. 14 Montana State.
The winners of each contest will advance to square off in Sunday’s second round.
Alabama began the day putting in the final pieces of its game prep for Friday’s contest with the Fighting Irish, which will mark the first meeting between the teams since squaring off in the Advocare Invitational in Orlando, Fla., on Nov. 29, 2015 (Alabama defeated then-No. 17 Notre Dame, 74-73). It’s the sixth meeting in series history with the Tide leading, 3-2
After the workout, the Tide made a 20-minute trek to San Diego State University and Viejas Arena. UA met with local and national media and radio, as well as the TNT broadcast talent which includes Lisa Byington, Steve Smith, Avery Johnson and Lauren Shehadi.
Alabama Set to Face Notre Dame
Alabama Athletics
How to Watch:
Who: 6-seed Alabama vs 11-seed Notre Dame
When: 3:15 p.m. CT, Friday
Where: Viejas Arena, San Diego, Calif.
TV: TNT - Lisa Byington/Steven Smith (play-by-play), Avery Johnson (analyst), Lauren Shehadi (reporter).
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network with Chris Stewart (play-by-play) and Bryan Passink (analyst) on the call. The pregame show will begin one hour prior to tipoff.
Last time out, Alabama: 21 points from Jaden Shackelford wasn't enough as the Crimson Tide fell in its opening game of the 2022 SEC Tournament to Vanderbilt, 82-76. While Alabama out-rebounded Vanderbilt 52-34, the Crimson Tide gave up 18 turnovers, which the Commodores turned into 16 points. 15 made free-throws by Vanderbilt guard Scotty Pippen Jr. were the dagger, ending Alabama's stint in the tournament early.
Late time out, Notre Dame (Prior to First Four): As the 2-seed in the ACC Tournament, Notre Dame also received a double-bye like Rutgers. However, it suffered the same fate as both the Crimson Tide and the Scarlet Knights, falling in its first game of the tournament to Virginia Tech, 87-80. The Hokies went on to win the tournament, but that didn't help the Fighting Irish fight off the sting of defeat.
